On Christmas eve a farmer's family return from getting a Christmas tree from the woods to find all their animals missing. After searching and contacting the police they go to church for a midnight service.
This book has lovely, realistic illustrations. It looks as if it's set in the lake district, so there is some beautiful scenery, rolling countryside with drystone walls.
Hopefully this is a rescue farm or these are rescue animals that aren't going to end up as Christmas dinner. It's midnight on Christmas Eve and there is a live turkey there when the animals are found so we presume these animals aren't on the menu.
The animals are found in unusual circumstances and again, as in so many books we have read lately there is the reference to the legend that after midnight on Christmas eve and before dawn animals can talk.